11 year old lad killed on M6 on his way to the match last Sat.

 

 

BN

 

AN 11-year-old football fan was killed in a motorway pile-up as he made his way to watch Bolton Wanderers.

 

Shaun Bates died after the car he was travelling in was involved in a six-vehicle smash on the M6 at 1pm on Saturday.

 

Family, friends and Bolton Wanderers officials said the news had left them ?devastated? and have today paid tribute to a ?charming and delightful? young man.

 

Club chairman Phil Gartside is preparing to make a special visit to the family to pay his respects.

 

Shaun and his dad David Bates, aged 51, and two friends were travelling to Bolton for the Aston Villa game from their home in Rugby, Warwickshire.

 

The accident happened near to junction 16 of the M6 at Staffordshire.

 

Back seat passenger Shaun was airlifted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire after being given emergency treatment for multiple injuries at the scene and a doctor continued to treat him during the journey, but he died later in hospital.

 

David, a postman, together with the driver and another passenger, escaped with minor injuries.

 

A family statement said: ?Shaun was a clever, charming and delightful young man in his first year of secondary school. His love of Bolton Wanderers was his abiding passion. His death will leave a huge gap in all our lives and he will be missed terribly.?

 

He had an older brother Simon, aged 30, and sister Chantiece, aged 12.

 

Mr Bates, originally from Little Lever, left Bolton in 1983 but has been a life-long Wanderers supporter.

 

He and Shaun attended games regularly for the last five seasons and Shaun was a season ticket holder for the last three years, sitting initially in the Nat Lofthouse Stand with his father and older brother, and more recently in the North Upper Stand.

 

Family friend Andrew Leech said Mr Bates and Shaun?s mum Bernadetta, known as Detta, aged 50, were still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

 

He said: ?Shaun was a lovely, charming little lad. His smile lit us all up and we are all devastated.

 

?My wife and I have regularly driven Dave and Shaun to matches, both home and away, from our homes in Rugby. Shaun's favourite player was Kevin Davies.?

 

Mr Bates received a kidney transplant around 18 months ago and decided that Shaun's organs should be made available for transplant so that his young life and tragic death might help other families.

 

Mr Leech said: ?The fact that this was possible has given them some comfort and they hope their tragedy may in some small way inspire other donors.?

 

Tony Kelly, Wanderers fan liaison officer, said: ?We were all devastated when we heard of the tragic death of young Shaun.

 

?We didn't get to know what had happened until Monday and everyone here at the Reebok was stunned.

 

?We all feel it when tragedy strikes but especially so when the victim is one so young, and it was particularly emotional when we learned he was wearing his favourite Bolton shirt.

 

?I know the chairman is planning to call in on the family and as a club we will all rally round and comfort them the best we can.?

 

Mr Bates has given instructions that his son?s coffin should be draped with a Wanderers flag and he will be buried wearing his BWFC shirt.

 

People attending the funeral are being told not to wear black but, where possible, a BWFC shirt.

 

Shaun?s funeral will take place on May 12 in Rugby. His parents have asked that any donations are made to Warwickshire's Air Ambulance Service.

Is does ani, I have a 10 year old, I can't wait to get home and see him, just see him again....

 

This has hit me, really has, I've never met the lad or the family, I think its his age and having my lad at 10.

 

As a site do you think we could do something in his memory? No idea what.

 

I totally agree pal.

 

I have a 12 year old daughter and we both have s't's.We travel on the M62 to every game and I don't give it a second thought when I am driving.

 

Very sad waste of a young life.

 

RIP and thoughts go to his family

What are the chance's of a minute silence for the lad at the Hull match......in my eyes it's a must!

R.I.P

Puts the boring matchday, crap manager etc into perspective.

 

What a waste of a life, thoughts go to his family.

RIP

Puts the boring matchday, crap manager etc into perspective.

 

What a waste of a life, thoughts go to his family.

RIP

 

 

very, very sad news , lost to the world at such a young age

 

RIP

Thanks for that mate - just done it and I'll see what he says. If the funeral is down here, and he thinks it's appropriate to go bearing the condolences of many, then I will.

He actually got back to me and assured me the family had said they'd welcome Bolton fans attending to show their respect and support, and he's given me quite detailed instructions of how to get to the church, which I'm sure he'd be happy for me to pass onto anyone else who lives local(ish) to Rugby. Like I say, in some circumstances it would feel like an intrusion, but in this case the family are saying quite the opposite. If showing support adds even the mearest crumb of comfort to that horribly trying day, then I'm happy to do it.

He actually got back to me and assured me the family had said they'd welcome Bolton fans attending to show their respect and support, and he's given me quite detailed instructions of how to get to the church, which I'm sure he'd be happy for me to pass onto anyone else who lives local(ish) to Rugby. Like I say, in some circumstances it would feel like an intrusion, but in this case the family are saying quite the opposite. If showing support adds even the mearest crumb of comfort to that horribly trying day, then I'm happy to do it.

 

Then go as our envoy.

 

Make sure you wear a Bolton shirt.

Make sure you wear a Bolton shirt.

That's the plan, as they requested

I know it's a long way away but it would warm the cockles to hear that a lot of us had turned up. Tell em there's people thinking about them all over the world Satan.

You may add comments to The Rugby Advertiser , if you wish, i think it would be a nice gesture from us Bolton fans.

 

Link here: http://www.rugbytoday.co.uk/news/Football-...dies.5219127.jp

He actually got back to me and assured me the family had said they'd welcome Bolton fans attending to show their respect and support, and he's given me quite detailed instructions of how to get to the church, which I'm sure he'd be happy for me to pass onto anyone else who lives local(ish) to Rugby. Like I say, in some circumstances it would feel like an intrusion, but in this case the family are saying quite the opposite. If showing support adds even the mearest crumb of comfort to that horribly trying day, then I'm happy to do it.

Good on yer

Been away from PC for a couple of days whilst been having a short break.

 

This is absolutely terrible news, and I am extremely saddened with what i read in the BN.

 

My conolances go towards the family and thank Bolton for allowing some sort of tribute at the next home game.

 

It really puts the whole world into perspective.

 

:-(

 

Tragic young fan?s shirt will be on his seat at the Reebok

First time i've logged on for a few days and to see such sad news is heartbreaking. RIP young fella.

 

Tragic young fan?s shirt will be on his seat at the Reebok

here's to a better place

R.I.P. condolences to there family

Speechless. What a waste. That poor family.

only just read this news. Respect and condolences at this sad time

RIP- Young Wanderer

 

Puts things into perspective doesnt it.

What his parents must be going through is beyond imagining. I have a 13 year old lad like a shadow follows me to games & wears his shirt with pride. I can't imagine my life without him.

R.I.P. Shaun & my prayers are with the family.

Only just read this, tragic news, but good to see the club supporting the family. RIP